Ecstatic Beuran thanks Vinnie and ‘Langes’ for help
JOHANNESBURG: Beuran Hendricks says his inclusion in the Proteas side yesterday for the ICC World T20 tournament in Bangladesh is “even better than an IPL contract”.
Hendricks’s inclusion is not that big of a surprise given his season record – 28 wickets for the Cape Cobras with an economy rate of 7.08. Not only does he swing the ball, he does so at great pace and is an excellent “death” bowler, an area in which South Africa have encountered problems in the past.
Hendricks was ecstatic about his selection yesterday, which comes after he was signed by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL last week. “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I have been dreaming of playing for the Proteas since I was nine years old. It’s even more special because it’s a World Cup year, I will cherish this forever. It’s even better than an IPL contract. I have been waiting for this ever since I started playing cricket.”
The 23-year-old from Bellville paid tribute to the contributions made by Cricket SA’s high performance coach Vincent Barnes and Cobras teammate Charl Langeveldt in helping him climb to the top.
“Vincent Barnes and Charl Langeveldt have always been there for me, working with them has been a great help towards my bowling,” he said. “They have always tried to make sure that I am constantly on top of my game, and have been there to help with any areas of my bowling that needed work.
“Sometimes when I look back at the 28 wickets I got, I ask myself how on earth I managed to get there. I think it was important to keep it simple and to keep calm.
“I worked with Charl on my skills, adapting to pressure and sticking to the basics, that’s what helped me. I really hope that I can implement it for the Proteas when given the opportunity.”
Proteas selection convenor Andrew Hudson said Hendricks had earned his place through performance. “Hendricks’s inclusion underlines the fact that guys doing well in the domestic competition will get a look-in,” said Hudson. “He brings a lot of variety, bowls well up front and has got good death bowling.”
Meanwhile, Albie Morkel’s return from the T20 wilderness back into the glare of the world stage owes as much to his current form as to him being the most experienced player on the planet in the format.
The 32-year-old Morkel scored 202 runs for the Titans in the RamSlam T20 Challenge, and while he only picked up two wickets, his economy rate of 7.20 meant he provided sufficient control for the Titans when bowling.
“He’s played a lot in the subcontinent and done well and his recent domestic form just made it easy for us to include him in the squad,” Hudson said.
Morkel is the world’s most experienced T20 player, having participated in 253 matches around the world. Seventy-eight of those matches were in the IPL, where he was an important cog for the Chennai Super Kings.
“I’ve played a lot of cricket with Albie and seen how destructive he can be. Especially in the sub-continent, where the ball bounces a bit lower, he’s been very successful for Chennai,” said Proteas T20 captain Faf du Plessis.
South Africa’s women’s squad will be led by Mignon du Preez, and have targeted a semi-final spot as their goal for the Women’s T20 event, which will be played at the same time as the men’s tournament. SOUTH AFRICAN T20 TEAMS SA Women: Mignon du Preez (capt), Trisha Chetty, Moseline Daniels, Shandre Fritz, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Lizelle Lee, Marcia Letsoalo, Sunette Loubser, Suné Luus, Nadine Moodley, Chloe Tryon, Yolandi van der Westhuizen, Dane van Niekerk.
Yolani Fourie, Ayabonga Khaka, Yolandi Potgieter. SA Men: Faf du Plessis (capt), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Morné Morkel, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.